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WHAT 1 AM 

BY 

WALTER W, SMALL 




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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



WHAT I AM 



WHAT I AM 



BY 



WALTER W. SMALL 




CHERRYEIELD, MAINE 

EASTEEN PUBLISHING CO., PUBLISHERS 

1905 



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COPYRIGHT, 1905, W. W. SMALL, 

ALL EIGHTS RESERVED 

Published July, 1905 



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WHAT I AM 



I always have had, and I suppose others 
have also, a great desire to know what I am, 
what life is and what is the object of life. 

I, myself, appear to be only a part of myself. 

I know nothing of the internal workings or 
management of my body. 

Who heals the cut on my finger? 

Who tells me when I am hungry and when I 
have performed the right act to satisfy that 
hunger? 

What is hunger or pain anyway? 

What wise head studied out digestion; and 
who knows enough to run it? 

Who, so opportunely, pads my hands with 
calluses, to protect them, when I use the axe? 
It isn't I. I don't know how to do it. 

Such things are miracles to me. 

Who then am I, and who runs this wonderful 



8 WHAT I AM 

body that performs such unfathomable mys- 
teries before my very eyes? 

Does not religion embrace the relations of 
man to his maker? 



I have always felt that there must be a rea- 
sonable religion. A religion that would ex- 
plain, not mystify, the workings of, what we 
call, Nature. 

To live with satisfaction one must know 
what is the goal of life, and why we are living. 

In my gropings for religious truth I have 
arrived at convictions that are a source of great 
satisfaction to me. 

I begin by supposing that the first, or prime 
substance of creation, (which I think is the 
ether) possesses the rudimental powers of all 
future developments. 

The idea of creating something out of noth- 
ing does not appeal to me in the least. Neith- 
er does that of delegating this power to an out- 
side personal God. 



WHAT I AM 9 

I believe that that first substance possessed 
these rudimental powers because, upon close 
study, I find that it must have done so in order 
to exist itself. 

This may seem an extravagant statement, 
but it is really a simple plain statement of the 
inevitable condition. 

Here are some of the facts that lead up to 
this conclusion. 



For a substance to maintain an existence it 
must have qualities, for it is by its qualities 
that it demonstrates its existence. 

To possess qualities a thing must have power 
and intelligence. 

Argument: — To whatever degree of rarity a 
substance exists it must possess some degree of 
stability. 

To possess stability a substance must have 
some power or control over its substance or 
particles. It could not, otherwise, maintain its 
structure. 

For a thing to exercise power to a given pur- 



io WHAT I AM 

pose, if only an attempt to hold itself in shape, 
it must possess intelligence. It must know 
that other particles are there before it can 
attach itself to them. It must know that it has 
a shape or structure before it can offer resist- 
ance, or put forth power definitely, either for 
or against. 

He who carefully observes the painstaking, 
mathematical construction of crystals can hard- 
ly doubt the presence of a local, mineral intelli- 
gence. 



Summary: — To accomplish a definite purpose 
a thing must — First, possess power (be self- 
conscious) — Second, know how to apply power 
(become an effective individual) and — Third, 
know the effect of power when so applied (be 
able to acquire knowledge by perception.) 



To construct a definite substance it is neces- 
sary to know the peculiar particles, or mode of 
construction, of that substance, as distinct from 



WHAT I AM n 

every other substance: — must know enough to 
select and construct — know its own and unite 
with it. 

Th's much intelligence must be locally pres- 
ent in everything that exists. 



System requires intelligence. 

Chance could never establish a characteristic 
or create a clear cut diversity. 

The power of the magnet plainly shows the 
ability of minerals to make choice of sub- 
stances. 



Intelligence, then, is the prime quality of 
matter; and power its manifestation. 



Life is, merely, a systematized application of 
power. This is why the degree of development 
that we call Life does not appear until well 
along on the road of progress. 



12 WHAT I AM 

If these inductions and reasonings are cor- 
rect, we have now the foundation established 
upon which we may build, through evolution, 
our future life structure. 




WHAT I AM 13 



CHAPTER II. 

But again: — Reason dictates that matter 
must possess this constructive power within 
itself. 

The life and intelligence exhibited every- 
where in nature, so dependent upon its own 
limited resources, so fearful and uncertain of 
action, with methods so exclusively character- 
istic of its local, and past, conditions and so 
zealously self-centered, could not possibly come 
from a superior, earnestly directing, cosmic 
source. 

The power is certainly within, and a part of, 
each individual thing or substance; and is often 
recognizable through several material changes. 

The presence of homogeneous substances 
everywhere furnishes ample proof of the pres- 
ence of, and work done by this material power 
and discriminating molecular intelligence. 

No clearer showing need be given to reveal 
the presence of a local self-conscious power, 



14 WHAT I AM 

selecting and uniting with its own, than the 
formation and growth of homogeneous sub- 
stances. 



How, except by a local self-accruing power 
could such a variety of individual traits, and 
methods of existence, be developed as is shown 
in our present clear cut diversity of substances 
and species? 

Everything everywhere acts in accordance 
with its own present or hereditary experience, 
leaving room only for reasonable chance occur- 
rences or individual venture. 

The magnet never applies the wrong force to 
an approaching object. This shows that the 
magnet is not only aware of the presence of 
other bodies, before actual contact, but that it 
also has an accurate knowledge of the proper- 
ties of said bodies and is capable of passing un- 
erring judgment upon them. 

To do this requires a penetrating individual 
intelligence, and that too of no mean order. 
(Our human excellence is mostly due to a little 
skill in organization.) 



WHAT I AM 15 

Evidence is everywhere prominent to show 
that the most primary forms of matter possess 
individual intelligence ; and that this intelli- 
gence advances proportionately with the pro- 
gress, or evolution, of the substance, thing or 
person possessing it. 

I think I have shown enough to prove that 
life and intelligence devolop hand in hand 
with material: That power and intelligence 
are qualities of matter, and that matter could 
not exist as it does, or develop to the present 
conditions, otherwise. 

If this is true, and also, that we are a product 
of evolution, or growth, then, our life and intel- 
ligence are ours individually. We, and our 
fathers, are responsible for what we now are. 
We are self-sustaining, and self-acquiring, now 
and forever. Conditions, at once, both sensible 
and gratifying. 



16 WHAT I AM 



CHAPTER III. 

Let us now proceed to trace the progress of 
development or evolution. 

All matter is, as we have seen, to some ex- 
tent, capable of acting (exercising power) and 
of being acted upon. 

As the object of an act is always to accom- 
plish something it is quite evident that any- 
thing knowing enough to act must also know 
enough to realize somewhat the effect of an 
act, whether that act is beneficial or detrimen- 
tal to its welfare. 

This power to distinguish right from wrong 
with an inclination to profit thereby, is the key 
note to progress. 

Anything of discretionary powers, as to some 
extent, we have seen all matter to be, having 
the ability to discriminate between actions 
which are favorable and actions which are 
detrimental to its welfare, or existence, free to 
accept or reject, has evidently, within its grasp 
the power to improve its condition. 



WHAT I AM 17 

Possessing the knowledge and the power it 
becomes a question of free choice whether it 
w T ill try to better its condition by exertion or 
whether it will lay dormant and indifferent. 



At first the progress of matter is apparently, 
very slow; but between points of great distance 
the progress is discernable. 

For instance: — It is quite noticeable that the 
primary forms of matter are more rigid and 
exist for longer periods of time than subsequent 
formations: that each time matter changes its 
form, or organization, it advances from the 
inorganic toward the organic, drawing nearer 
to a mobile state: that before matter becomes 
eligible to enter the vegetable or animal king- 
dom it must forego all its mineral lethargy, 
become highly mobile, resolve itself into a gas 
or liquid, or join in solution with such. 

In this mobile stage, matter, although in 
many cases still possessing recognizable min- 
eral traits, shows marked advancement in mole- 
cular power. 

Such particles are, comparatively, quick to 



18 WHAT I AM 

move and sensitive when acted upon. They 
show increase of energy and eagerness to act. 
So eager, in fact, that matter at this stage is 
apt to become aggressive, overbearing as it 
were. This tendency is clearly shown in the 
corrosive ferocity of most chemicals. 



Free to move, these advanced, energetic 
molecules soon learn the art of self-locomotion. 
(An interesting illustration of molecular move- 
ment is the osmotic tendencies of liquids and 
gases.) 

From this on, progress, at least for the favored 
few, becomes much more rapid. 

Not content with individual motion, sympa- 
thetic molecules begin to unite so they may act 
in mass to accomplish a single purpose. 

Now, instead of individual warfare as before, 
this (protoplastic) formation completely wraps 
itself around its objects of pillage and robs 
them at leisure. 

With this great stride of intellectual unity 
and united purpose comes increased power to 
command, or influence, the actions of others. 



WHAT I AM 19 

Molecules of less advancement but of great 
cohesive strength are now arranged about this 
monster (life cell) to still further increase its 
power and invulnerability. 

The lowest forms of vegetable and animal 
life are but a conglomerate assembly of these 
cells presided over by a mind unit represent- 
ing their collective intelligence. 

It is quite evident that the larger, more com- 
plex structures, met within the higher stages of 
life, could not be constructed or managed by a 
mere aggregation of sympathetic cells. 




20 WHAT I AM 



CHAPTER IV. 



It is presumed, therefore, that the mind por- 
tions of these lower individuals, gradually free- 
ing themselves from their material brethren, 
become spiritual and form distinct spiritual 
individuals whose freedom and scope of percep- 
tion fit them admirably for the management 
and construction of the higher more complex 
material structures 

This spirit individual, having passed through 
all the forms of cell developments, would be 
quite competent to select the cells best adapted 
to perform a given function. 

By selecting cells of great cohesive strength 
for the structural parts, those of great activity 
for the muscles, those of aggressive discrimina- 
ting propensities for the digestive, and those of 
sensitive impressional tendencies for the brain, 
ganglion, etc., each department would be 
almost self operating. 

By connecting these departments by nerve 
telegraphy a very complicated body could be 



WHAT I AM 21 

run effectually by merely administering a few 
general instructions. 



For instance, to repair the injury in case of a 

cut: Given suitable material, the adjacent 

cells would know enough to reproduce them- 
selves and the, ever present, spirit of construc- 
tion would know how to arrange them to heal 
the breach. 

Likewise in the incubation of an egg: By 
the aid of a spirit of construction capable, 
under favorable conditions, of selecting and 
arranging the various cells into the different 
organs, the problem becomes simple and the 
mystery disappears. 

That so much constructive intelligence 
should appear in a spirit of such small dimen- 
sions does not seem so strange when we remem- 
ber that, in all probability, this spirit has been 
practicing construction for thousands or per- 
haps millions of years, including its mineral 
experience. 



In the beginning mechanical construction is 
one of the first intellectual faculties developed, 



22 WHAT I AM 

and continues, all through natuie, as one of the 
most prominent features of progress, strength 
and comeliness. 

This is why "Beauty," the emblazoned em- 
blem of constructive perfection, appears so early 
in nature, with its pleasing bloom and, later, 
appeals with such thrilling power, even to our 
bodies, as the coveted Goddess of the heart's 
desire. 

Beauty is never wasted for it must ever be 
a shining source of satisfaction as an expres- 
sion of the skill and completeness of its con- 
structor and possessor. 

Beauty, like virtue, is "Its own reward." 



In the highest forms of animal existence 
there appears to be a division of the spirit 
power. The smaller spirit, the spirit of con- 
struction, builds and operates the body; while 
the larger, more advanced spirit, or portion of 
spirit, takes possession at birth and acting 
mostly through the brain, dominates the gen- 
eral outward policy of the individual. 

The growth of a spirit like that of cellular 



WHAT I AM 23 

formations — seems to be by the addition or 
appropriation of units (and sometimes of larger 
individuals, in whole or in part) of similar 
refinement or education to those of the princi- 
pal spirit. 

The object of incarnation for this great spirit 
is, presumably, to acquire increased power and 
effectiveness by the aid of a material memory 
and the use of the body, just as we profit by the 
help of written records and the acquisition of 
money and property. 

"Knowledge is power." Without power we 
are nothing. With power we may accomplish 
anything. "Wisdom" comes from experience 
in the prudent handling of power. Move and 
learn. 

Power, with the ability and opportunity to 
use it, is the most highly prized of all personal 
acquirements. The adjunct power "Money" 
(sufficient for independence) raises us to a level 
with opposition, opens the door to opportunity 
and makes success more possible. 



24 WHAT I AM 

As we advance mentally we have less and 
less use for muscular, or physical power (tool 
power) and more for the spiritual. 

Napoleon's great power lay in his ability to 
command or influence, the actions of others 
spiritually; and not in the potency of muscle or 
his ability to buy. 

When we can direct the trend of affairs with 
such strength and contagious assurance that 
others acquiesce and gladly join with us for 
their well being and general safety, then carnal 
strength is of little use to us. We may soon 
then cast off forever our fleshy bonds and soar 
free as a spirit. 

We may then direct our powers successfully 
to the better guidance of men, the influence of 
the elements, (for the power that can control 
men will influence all intelligence to some 
extent,) the better construction of planets, the 
general improvement or maintenance of the 
universe and spiiitual life. 



WHAT I AM 25 



CHAPTER V. 

But, after all this, unless we can live in an 
atmosphere of love, all is empty strife, frailty 
and isolation. In fact, no one may attain these 
heights unless he can, somewhat at least, 
envelop himself and his undertakings within 
such an atmosphere. 

Stripped of body and all adjunct powers of 
inflation and opacity our spirits will go forth 
clothed only in the halo of their virtues. 

Ideas are of spiritual origin. 

If, here on earth, a person makes himself felt 
mostly through the force of his ideas and the 
projected power of his aura or spiritual person- 
ality, how much more plainly must these spirit 
powers show themselves when discarnate. 

Ignorance is our greatest foe. 

If we are to advance, concealment must 
cease; truth must triumph over ignorance and 
pretention. 

Unless, under the open searchlight of intelli- 
gence, we show beneficial and healthful quali- 



26 WHAT I AM 

ties we cannot hope further to advance; but 
must turn back to improve our condition. 

In that place where truth presides and every 
intent and motive is clearly discernable to all, 
it is quite evident that the qualities of intelli- 
gent love and magnanimity must predominate 
to gain us acceptance. 

We all seek benefits. Love and sympathy 
are inspiied by the discovery of virtues. To 
be of value we must possess valuable qualities. 

Nothing can long survive the ostracism of 
his fellows. Deceit and ignorance cannot com- 
pete openly with virtue and wisdom. 

The prime requisite of spiritual health and 
progress is to possess a clear conception of 
right and wrong so as to be quick to appreciate 
the good in things and to oppose the wrong. 

Benefits come through love. 

To realize the greatest benefits from above, 
from our Guardian Angels, we must so familiar- 
ize ourselves with truth that we can distinguish 
it from imperfect suggestions. We must be 
cognizant of virtue and respectful. 



WHAT I AM 27 

Love is as necessary for advancement as for 
our maintenance. 

Nothing will long exist without love, and 
without love, enduring peace and happiness are 
unknown. 

Love is the power that unites. 

Every mineral compact, every combination of 
cells, every marriage of spirit with matter and 
every healthy union in animal or spiritual life 
is inspired by love and maintained by its com- 
forting warmth and surety. 

The "Power of attraction" (Gravitation) is 
the social power of material love. 

All natural compact is the result of love influ- 
ence. 



All great individuals are universally made 
up of a combination of smaller ones. 

Until development reaches such a high stage 
that all can harmoniously blend into one perfect 
whole, each individual needs the support of 
others. 

Love invites, or attracts, by offering the qual- 
ities or properties capable of fertilizing or aid- 
ing others. Love shines. 



28 WHAT I AM 

Complete nutrition or satiation marks the 
death or dismemberment of the body, personal 
or compact thus formed. 



Love savors of abundance. 

The stronger we are, and the more we have 
to give, the greater is our capacity for love. 

We love in proportion to our willingness and 
ability to benefit. 

Pie cannot love who has nothing to give. 

Equality of possessions aids social intercourse 
and love. 

Perfect love must be reciprocal; each party 
bountifully fulfilling the requirements of the 
other. 

Love wisely, prudently. Give where you 
can satisfy as well as benefit, or you may 
become exhausted and be cast aside. 

Wisdom (God) is the exhaustless loadstone 
ol power, freedom, and love. It is the director 
and master of all things. 

Love is the conservative element — Feminine. 

Nothing gives us more pleasure than to 
excell, attain greater freedom, broaden our 



WHAT I AM 29 

field of action and intellectual perception; but 
the mother of substantial happiness is love. 

In love dwells the safety of the Universe. 
There is little peace or comfort outside its 
glowing portals. 




3o WHAT I AM 



CHAPTER VI. 

But, you ask, ''where is God and His great 
'Plan of Creation.' " There is no other plan of 
creation. 

All true power comes from below, works up 
through, and manifests itself in creations. 

Heaven and Hell are conditions, not places. 

("The kingdom of Heaven is within.") 

God is the intelligence in everything and of 
everything; likewise (indirectly) material 
which is convertable into life and intelligence. 

We are God's expression, God's flowers, and 
contain God's spirit and life which is ever sup- 
porting and pushing us onward. 

Have you ever, from the sullen depths of 
sudden despondency, felt a glow from within as 
though your heart were confidently smiling? 

For consoling, assuring support look to your 
own heart; there lies all the possibilities of 
your future. 



WHAT I AM 31 

The high ideal can only be reached through 
the love and development of our own individual 
selves. 

All possible attainments within the scope of 
the creative power are yours through evolution, 
through prudent self-loving care. 

Do not weary at the immensity of the task; 
all happiness is not at the end. 

Calmly, confidently enjoy your present 
advanced position, and rejoice that you have 
the power within you to progress farther if you 
want to. 

Nothing can do you permanent injuries now. 

There is nothing frail about your position. 

You have been progressing for millions of 
years, there is little possibility of stopping now. 



Why do we not remember somewhat of our 
former existence? Why? Because memory is 
affected by means of impressions upon a mate- 
rial organization; and must, therefore, die with 
the death of the organization. 

The ability to perceive, to know a thing 
when we see it, is all that is essential to us. 



32 WHAT I AM 

When we know a thing: thoroughly it matters 
not, where, under what conditions or out of 
what primer we learned it. 

The fact that we have learned it and thereby 
acquired the resultant strength, or ability to 
perform, is all that is important. 



This acquired perception and the habit of 
action resulting therefrom (instinct) may be 
carried up with us through countless genera- 
tions. 

The cunning and methods of the fox and 
other animals are often still extant in the 
actions of men. 

A truth or habit once fully realized remains 
with us long. 

Let us then accumulate. Let us acquire 
good habits. Let us do things well and 
thoughtfully. Do not hurry. Live true that 
your present may augment your future happi- 
ness. 

A few years are nothing to you. Your exist- 
ence and intelligence are prime and indestruct- 
ible. 



WHAT I AM 33 

Your knowledge and powers are yours; and 
you cannot be permanently deprived of them 
except by your own consent or negligence. 
Your future is assured ! 

Wait and smile. Refuse to be coerced. 



Live, kindly, from your own center. 

Starvation and deprivation are not half as 
bad as they are painted. 

Do not be frightened. 

You can be happy and thrifty with little if 
you but throw vanity away. 

At most, you can but die ; and if conditions 
are so incurably bad that you cannot possibly 
live a healthy, harmless life otherwise, die and 
trust to better conditions next time. 

Better die than degenerate; or foster ill health 
within yourself or others. 

Death is only the dissolution of a love com- 
pact whose management has been confidently 
intrusted to your intelligence — Better, may be, 
dissolve than wreck it. 

kOFC, 



34 WHAT I AM 

Your body is composed of a multitude of 
lesser individuals whose future welfare has 
been lovingly placed under your management. 
They are intelligent and speak to you through 
your feelings and tastes. 

They are your best friends. Learn to respect 
them and minister intelligently to their wants 
and limitations. 

Do not dull their voices with morphine and 
drugs or unthinkingly over tax their strength 
and endurance by intemperate indulgences or 
recklessly striving for some outside bauble of 
wealth or fame. 

A true life has little to do with riches. 
Learn to live. 

How to live, is the all important problem, in 
this body and in all bodies. 

Do not be downhearted. It should be fun to 
live. 



What you do not accomplish in this body 
you may in the next. 

If you deserve them you will find bodies 
enough, precious adjuncts though they be, and 



WHAT I AM 35 

will, undoubtedly, have to appear in several 
before you have passed through all the stages 
and learned all that earth can teach. 

Let us understand the importance of our 
bodies. That the}' form habits and acquire 
tastes. 

That to receive benefits through them is the 
object of incarnation. 

That upon their condition largely depends 
our earthly strength and enjoyment. 

Let us guard them zealously, develop them 
carefully and keep them clean and undefiled so 
that we may feel good and enjoy living. 

Yes, enjoy being alive ! 

Enjoy the exultant potency of a virtuous well 
kepc body. 

Enjoy being a human; and moving unchall- 
enged, or perhaps approved, among such bright 
glowing wonders of beauty, power and intelli- 
gence. 

Enjoy, sociall} 7 , the clear incorruptible purity 
and beauty of the things around you. 

Enjoy the oneness and good fellowship of all 
life. 

Unselfishly enjoy love, equality and fair deal- 



36 WHAT I AM 

ing; together with your willing ability to 
champion the same. 

Knjoy your strength, your freedom, yourself. 

Healthfully enjoy beauty, and the privilege 
to live, love and conquer through all time. 

Enjoy the love and confidence of everything 
— (when you can afford it.) 

Enjoy your ability to live happily and honor- 
ably now and forever. 




WHAT I AM 37 



CHAPTER VII. 

Permanence lies in moderation. Learn even 
to enjoy moderately, wisely. 

Retrain from jealousy. Do not envy but pro- 
ject your own force, positively, yet unostenta- 
tiously and you will win. 

Success is the road to Heaven — climb. 

Good health will reward right living; throw 
your attention forward, persistently turn to the 
sunshine of the path of life. 

Avoid extremes. 

The motive power of a Napoleon coupled 
with the magnanimity of a Saint may lack the 
simple virtues neccessary to promote good 
health and personal enjoyment. 

Completeness is the fountain of joy. 

Recognize general equality and avoid covet- 
ousness, "For whosoever will save his life shall 
loose it," — be charitable — love. 

We have little to fear aside from the effect of 
our vanities and covetous rivalries. A little 



38 WHAT I AM 

modest love and sense of equality will cure 
both. 

By the nature of progress we may have every- 
thing in time. There can be no such thing as 
permanent superiority. In time we must pass 
through all stages. 

Why not, then, throw fear to the winds. We 
are bred of God and God inspired. (Listen for 
that "Still small voice.") We have the 
environments of a God. We have but to use 
them to make them ours. Let us enjoy our- 
selves with the composure of a God. 



As far as "place" is concerned, there could 
be no place better fitted to the needs and en- 
joyments of men than this Earth. 

Cast aside the vanities and mistakes of men 
and look about you with the eye of an artist. 
Can you imagine anything more beautiful or a 
Heaven more perfect? Use it. 

Cast aside vanity and live! 

Why such reverence for things out of reach. 
Have you learned everything possible from 



WHAT I AM 39 

your present surroundings? There is nothing 
gained by skipping lessons. 

Why yearn for things ahead, that perhaps, 
as yet we are not fitted to receive? It will be 
time enough to enjoy them when we get to 
them . 

Looking back we may see others as unhappy 
because they have not as much as we. Why 
continue in this tear-stained farce? 

If what you are doing appears unprofitable 
and depressing refuse longer to do it; and let 
come what will come. Presently to perform 
this same thing will be a pleasure to you. 

Profoundly respect yourself, as well as 
others, and love will set you free. 

Do not judge but study. 



4Q WHAT I AM 



CHAPTER VIII. 

The office of Government should be, 

To uphold equality and insure fair dealing. 

To assist the weak and discipline all. 

To make living easy and honorable by 
guaranteeing free and equal opportunities to 
every one. 

To restrict excessive, personal accumulations 
of property; and possess such positions, or 
business, as admit of collective spoliation or 
control. 

To make domineering oversight and the 
right to special advantages such as the inheri- 
tance of property or position, practically impos- 
sible. 



Democracy seeks not exclusive privileges or 
exceptional rewards. 

Reward usefulness, aside from opportunity 
or position, and all men become practically 
equal. 



WHAT I AM 41 

General equality works civic ease and honor. 
Let us fully realize what and where we are. 

Fearfully, step by step up through bewilder- 
ing mazes of struggling life, — mineral, vege- 
table and animal, we have climbed, arriving at 
last to this, our present exalted position of 
beauty, power and freedom. 

Having acquired so much and risen to such 
heights, it would be cowardly and sacrilegious 
in us to doubt our ability to get what we need 
as we go along. 

To strive for more than we need would be 
but to dedicate our powers to oppression and 
robbery. 

He who oppresses or poisons others forfeits 
his right to exist. 



From the earliest stages of existence the 
power has been ours to live or die as we 
choose. 

We may live clean and struggle to progress 



42 WHAT I AM 

or we may retrograde and cease to advance 
through excesses, indifference and wrong 
doing. 

Ahead of one system is health and happiness. 
Ahead of the other is, surely, sickness, misery 
and death. These are results that, in the long 
run, there is no such thing as evading. 

We live and struggle to progress 
because we are better and happier for 
so doing. This is the object of living. 
Would you have it otherwise? Would you, 
could you ask for more? 




OCT 23 1905 



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